Incredible that we are 50 weeks into the year which means just two more #ExoticSpotSA posts for the year. This post is a huge hit among all of you (judging by the views) but we feel it needs a new update or change. If you have any good ideas, please get in touch we would love to hear your feedback.

When Mercedes-AMG lifted the covers off their C43 range we were not exactly blown away with the styling or performance figures but then they revealed the facelift earlier this year which not only came with a power hike but drastically improved cosmetics.

The output of the 3.0-litre V6 increased 390 hp (287 kW), thanks to larger turbochargers that operate at higher boost pressure. This has turned out to be a recipe that has made this particular model something of a runaway sales success.

Back on to the cosmetics and we could not get enough of the sleek rear end. The biggest changes include a rear deck spoiler now in the same colour as the car, a reworked rear bumper with a larger diffuser and new-look twin round chromed tailpipes. It transforms the aesthetics of the car and gives it that much needed AMG presence. Up front it could use a lower splitter or aero flics but that is just the boy racer inside of me.

Inside the car you are treated to a new 12.3-inch digital display that can be configured to show whichever information you like and in the C43 models, it also has a unique mode (Supersport design) which positions a rev-counter right in the middle. Perfect to keep an eye on your speed and revs.

Now, the beating heart of the C43 Coupe might not be the same as the V8 firebomb in the C63, but what you’ll find under the bonnet is still pretty special. There is ample torque available from just about any point in the rev range that pins you to the seat as the C43 Coupe leaps from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The great part about that acceleration time is that the C43 Coupe can do it irrespective of the road or weather conditions. Try a flat out pull off in the C63 in the wet and you will be needing some new underwear. The C43 Coupe, however, just squats and goes.

Obviously that is because it is way down on power but it also features Merc’s 4MATIC system as standard. This system is biased towards the rear wheels but makes the C43 Coupe feel secure and impressively fast around corners.

When you want to do comfort it does not disappoint here either. Yes you feel a much harsher ride than a standard C-Class (this is an AMG after all) but thanks to the standard adaptive dampers you can decide between a comfortable cruiser or a formidable continent-crosser just by switching the driving mode. In the C43 Coupe, the driving modes also affect a flap in the exhaust that really changes how it sounds. The sounds that come out of those four chrome pipes is something to experience. You continually find yourself going up and down through the gears just to hear gear shift bang and downshift pops. It is an intoxicating noise and even driving slowly but revving the V6 high is rewarding.

Overall, the C43 Coupe is a really good combination of abilities wrapped in an attractive body. While short of the C63 Coupe’s brutality, the ‘mid-way’ C43 Coupe gets a huge part of the looks and performance for less money. It’s still pretty expensive, though, and optional extras aren’t cheap.

]]>https://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/12/driven-mercedes-amg-c-43-4matic-coupe.html/feed0BMW South Africa Set To Restore BMW 530 MLEhttps://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/12/bmw-south-africa-set-to-restore-bmw-530-mle.html
https://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/12/bmw-south-africa-set-to-restore-bmw-530-mle.html#respondThu, 13 Dec 2018 07:13:51 +0000https://www.zero2turbo.com/?p=48635Some of the men who built it more than 42 years ago unveiled a very sad looking 5 Series but it will be fully restored to its former glory.

BMW South Africa are back at the restoration game but this time it will be BMW 530 Motorsport Limited Edition (MLE).

Some of the men who built it more than 42 years ago unveiled a very sad looking 5 Series but it will be fully restored to its former glory.

This particular car is number 100 of South Africa-only “homologation” special built when BMW SA wanted to go racing back in the 1970’s.

BMW searched for years for a 530 MLE to restore and this is one of the only cars to have survived passed it’s 70’s heyday. Car number 100 comes with a particular pedigree – it was owned by race driver and the racing 530 MLE’s team manager Peter Kaye-Eddie, and its engine and chassis numbers are a matching set.

Powering this gem-to-be is a 3.0-litre six cylinder engine boasting figures such as 147 kW, 277 Nm, a 208 km/h top speed and a 0 to 100k m/h sprint time of 9.3 seconds. It proved to be an early step of BMW’s ventures into track oriented cars for the road.

]]>https://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/12/bmw-south-africa-set-to-restore-bmw-530-mle.html/feed0Tesla “Probably” Coming To South Africa At The End of 2019https://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/12/tesla-probably-coming-to-south-africa-at-the-end-of-2019.html
https://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/12/tesla-probably-coming-to-south-africa-at-the-end-of-2019.html#respondTue, 11 Dec 2018 10:17:05 +0000https://www.zero2turbo.com/?p=48605There is huge interest in the Tesla product offering in South Africa and with the insane performance of some of the models, our local petrol head community cannot wait to get their hands on one.

]]>https://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/12/exoticspotsa-week-49-2018.html/feed0Ferrari Memorabilia and BMW Williams F1 Steering Wheel For Salehttps://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/12/ferrari-memorabilia-and-bmw-williams-f1-steering-wheel-for-sale.html
https://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/12/ferrari-memorabilia-and-bmw-williams-f1-steering-wheel-for-sale.html#respondTue, 04 Dec 2018 11:21:55 +0000https://www.zero2turbo.com/?p=48331There are many petrol heads in South Africa and a handful of them take pride in their garage and/or memorabilia collection so this is an opportunity not to be missed.

]]>https://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/12/ferrari-memorabilia-and-bmw-williams-f1-steering-wheel-for-sale.html/feed0New Porsche 911 Carrera S and 4S Pricing For South Africahttps://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/11/new-porsche-911-carrera-s-and-4s-pricing-for-south-africa.html
https://www.zero2turbo.com/2018/11/new-porsche-911-carrera-s-and-4s-pricing-for-south-africa.html#respondFri, 30 Nov 2018 09:10:46 +0000https://www.zero2turbo.com/?p=48237The new 911 Carrera S and 4S is available to order now for delivery in the middle of next year.

Porsche revealed the all-new 911 (992) at the Los Angeles Auto Show and being the Porsche-loving country we are, everyone is keen to know what the local pricing will be.

The new 911 Carrera S and 4S is available to order now for delivery in the middle of next year.

We can confirm that that the 911 Carrera S will come in at a base price of R1,708,000 and Carrera 4S at R1,797,000. This includes a 3 year/100,000 km Driveplan.

Across the range you will find new-and-improved twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines which now feature new die-cast aluminum manifolds.

Power jumps from 370 hp (276 kW) to 385 hp (287 kW) in the Carrera, while the Carrera S jumps from 414 hp (308 kW) to 444 hp (331 kW). The Carrera S (in rear-wheel drive form) can hit 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and in 4S trim achieve it in 3.6 seconds making both models 0.4 sec faster than the older respective Carrera S / 4S cars. Add on the Sport Chrono Package and this advantage is increased by another 0.2 seconds. Top speeds are now 308 km/h (Carrera S) and 306 km/h for the all-wheel-drive version.

Thank you for all those who submit via email! The highlights for the 48th week are; Huracan Performante Spyder and new Continental GT combo, Hummer H1, brand new Ferrari 488 Pista, Fire Orange BMW M3, menacing old Aston Martin Vantage, a few Aventador’s and this epic Lamborghini Murcielago with gold wheels.

Is the big daddy Mercedes-AMG E63 S a little too much for you? If your answer to that is yes, then you have the option of going the tamer E53 route which is headed for South Africa.

If this is for you, you will need to part with a minimum of R1,252,620 which excludes CO2 tax.

Powering the mild-AMG is a mild hybrid powertrain consisting of a 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo unit combined with an auxiliary compressor. The combustion engine pushes out 429 hp (320 kW) and 520 Nm of torque while the EQ Boost can briefly provide an additional 21 hp (16 kW) and 250 Nm.

Thanks to the power being delivered to all four wheels (4MATIC+), the sedan can sprint to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and continue to run to a limited top speed of 250 km/h.